Modupe Gbadeyanka
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
No fewer than 43,694 residents from five Local Governments and eight Local Council Development Areas comprising Ojo, Oto-Awori, Iba, Badagry, Badagry-West, Olorunda, Oshodi, Isolo, Ejigbo, Amuwo-Odofin, Oriade, Ajeromi and Ifelodun have benefitted from the on-going Lagos Health Mission programme; a medical intervention sponsored by the State government to provide free healthcare services to residents of Lagos across the State.
Residents were screened and managed for non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, eye diseases and dental problems. The programme also offered ante-natal care services as well as family planning services to persons of reproductive age including HIV screening and counselling sessions.
Speaking on the mission, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, noted that the State Government is continuously finding ways to improve the health status of its ever-increasing population, adding that the plan for achieving this was based on the Health Policy Thrust of the State which is guided by the noble goal that every Lagosian enjoys unfettered access to qualitative healthcare without any barrier whatsoever.
Mr Idris disclosed that the strategies adopted in implementing these policies include the introduction and provision of various programs that have direct impact on the Health outcome of Lagosians, stressing that these programs are geared towards promoting health, detecting diseases early and offering treatment and rehabilitation.
While reiterating that the Health Missions are short-term interventions, Mr Idris stated that the programme is geared towards the Strategic Development Plan of ensuring Universal Health Coverage as well as providing services that take health care to the doorsteps of its citizens at no cost to the people.
“These health missions are significant because they enable this administration to provide healthcare services to all who come irrespective of their age, gender, socioeconomic status and affiliations”, he added.
Mr Idris emphasised that the vision of sustainable healthcare and universal coverage demanded that the State adopted an approach that was not only efficient but also effective in addressing the growing health demand of Lagos megacity.
The Commissioner noted the Medical Mission will be carried out across the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas for 3-days every week starting from 1st of March until 8th of June, 2017.
While urging residents to take advantage of the free services offered by the medical mission, Mr Idris added that the sixth phase of the mission for Ikeja LGA, Onigbongbo and Ojodu LCDAs, as well as Apapa LGA & Iganmu LCDA would hold concurrently till 6th April, 2017 at the Youth Sport Centre, Oluwaleyimu Street Ikeja and Apapa Playing Ground/Field, Caulcrick Road, Off Randle Avenue by Airways Junction, Apapa respectively.
